The recent Assembly elections in West Bengal have seen an unprecedented rise in voter participation, surpassing the 90 per cent mark for the first time in the state’s electoral history. This remarkable increase is especially notable in constituencies with significant Muslim populations, where turnout surged by 2 to 20 percentage points, according to electoral reports.

There are 85 constituencies in West Bengal that are classified as Muslim-majority, with Muslim residents constituting over 35 per cent of the population. Historically, this region has been a stronghold for the Congress and the Left parties. However, the 2021 elections marked a turning point as the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) claimed victory in 75 of these 85 seats, demonstrating a consolidation of minority votes in its favour.

In contrast, the Congress and the Left parties faced significant setbacks, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as a formidable contender, securing a number of the remaining seats. The elections in 2026 are expected to introduce a new competitive landscape, particularly as the Congress is now contesting independently for the first time in decades.

Murshidabad Leads in Voter Engagement

Among the key areas, Murshidabad, where over 66 per cent of the population identifies as Muslim, has become a focal point for observers. In the 2021 elections, the TMC captured 20 out of 22 seats in this district, and the latest figures indicate a substantial uptick in voter participation. Raghunathganj experienced the highest increase within the entire constituency range, climbing by 20.5 percentage points from the previous election.

Other areas within Murshidabad also reported significant rises, with Jangipur recording an increase of 17.9 points, Sagardighi at 16.4 points, Samserganj increasing by 16 points, and Suti rising by 14.5 points. Each polling area in the district witnessed an improvement in voter turnout.

In the neighbouring districts of Malda and Uttar Dinajpur, which once functioned as Congress bastions prior to the TMC’s sweep in 2021, the changes in voter sentiment are similarly intriguing. With Mausam Noor returning to contest in Malatipur and Congress fielding candidates independently, these districts have been closely monitored for turnout trends.

Increases Across Multiple Districts

In Malda district, voter turnout rose by 16.2 percentage points in Ratua, 15.3 points in Chanchal, 14.7 points in Malatipur, and 14.1 points in Habibpur. Each seat in this region documented increases greater than zero, establishing it as a significant site of electoral activity.

Uttar Dinajpur also registered notable turnout increases, with Goalpokhar marking a remarkable jump of 19.7 points. Other areas such as Chakulia, Islampur, and Karandighi also saw substantial rises of 17.5, 13.9, and 13.4 points, respectively. The district demonstrated a collective growth across all nine seats, with each experiencing an increase of over ten percentage points.

Despite a high number of deletions on the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission, with Murshidabad recording 4,55,137 deletions and Malda seeing 2,39,375 names removed, overall voter turnout remained robust. Many seats noted participation rates exceeding 90 per cent, highlighting a dynamic electoral landscape.

Birbhum district, linked to TMC leader Anubrata Mondal, likewise showed promising turnout figures, with increases across all 11 seats. South 24 Parganas, encompassing 31 seats, exhibited significant participation enhancements as well, notably in Metiaburuz and Kasba, where turnout increased by 18 and 17.2 points, respectively.

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